"The waste exists and needs to be dealt with and the Lillyhall site will play a vital role in easing the pressure on the Low Level Waste Repository and in ensuring viable disposal routes."

The Environment Agency (EA) said it believed that the permit would "provide for safe disposal" and "ensure the protection of the public and the environment".

The EA will continue to apply stringent checks on the site, with constant environmental monitoring a condition of the licence, the results of which will be made public, and regulation of each operator wishing to send waste to the site.

Environment Agency nuclear regulation manager, Ian Parker, said: "Our top priorities are to protect people and the environment.

"The application, and consultation comments, have been thoroughly considered and we are satisfied that our high environmental standards have been met.

"We will ensure that WRL carries out regular checks and monitoring to confirm that the strict terms of their permit are being adhered to. These results will be published on our public register in due course."
Alison Brown